Life-belt.



F. JONATA, LIFE BELT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1911.

Patented July 18, 1911.

ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO. WASHINGTQN. D. C.

tlTTE era FRANK JONATA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIFE-BELT.

hat-tan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Life-Belt, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates generally to life belts and more particularly it involves an improved construction of simple form, the structure of which embodies the use of a suitable material, such as canvas, having a plurality of ribs positioned atvarious points therein, one end of the belt being provided with a suitable valve whereby air may be omitted or exhausted from the belt.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the views, and in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my belt in use; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view showing the details of construction thereof; Fig. 3 is a sectional view thereof on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4- is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve.

My belt is made up of a quantity of can- 31) vas or other suitable material 1 which may be in a single piece, the pattern being such that the belt when inflated will assume a circular form, as shown in Fig. 2. Suitably spaced at a plurality of points within the belt are a number of rectangular strengthening elements 2 which may be preferably made of aluminum, these elements being so positioned within the belt that they extend substantially in radial lines from the center thereof. Each element is held in position within the belt by means of bands of material 3 sewed onto the material 1 whereby the elements 2 are securely inelosed on all sides within the material or fabric 1 and 3.

The opposite end portions 4 and 5 of the belt are closed and the end 5 is provided with a suitable flap 6 having strings 7 extending therefrom; the other end 4 has a suitable valve 8 positioned thereon, this valve being secured to a flap 9, which flap is also provided with strings 10 which are adapted to engage the string 7 whereby the belt may be securely positioned on the body.

The valve may be of any form of constructi-on suited for the purpose and the form which I have shown in the drawings Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 6, 1911.

Patented July 18, 1911.

Serial No. 625,535.

comprises a cylindrical member 11 having an extended portion 12 at one end thereon on which a bell crank lever 13 is pivotally supported. Extending longitudinally through the center of the member 11 is an operating rod 14 having a helical spring 15 thereon which serves to hold the closure member 16 at the top of the valve in closed position whereby the air within the belt is held against escape. The top portion of the cylindrical member 11 is preferably provided with a peripheral seat 17 and the under face of the closure member 16 has a suitable resilient material, such as rubber or leather, secured thereon which is adapted for engagement with this seat 17 in order to insure closed relation of the parts.

When not in use, the structure of my belt permits it to be folded within a very small space, very much after the pattern of an accordion; when it is desired to use the belt it may be quickly brought into operative position by merely taking hold of the ends and extending the belt, the valve 8 being held open whereby the air may enter into the interior thereof. The belt is designed for use as shown in Fig. 1 and its volume and construction are such that it meets with the requirements of the law concerning the weight which a life belt must support as well as the length of time during which-the belt must support a given weight in the water.

It is obvious that the belt may be made in different sizes and may also be made of different materials and that any suitable waterproofing compound may be used in order to render the same water-tight; while I have shown a particular form of valve it is ob vious that any valve suited to the purpose will do, such use not departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent A life belt made of canvas, the pattern thereof being such that the belt when inflated assumes a circular form whereby it may be placed around the body, one end of the belt being closed and provided with a flap, the other end of the belt being provided with a valve, together with cooperating means on the said flap and the said valve end of the belt adapted for engagement with each other, whereby the belt may be held in position on the body, together with a plurality of radially extending elements securely positioned Within the said belt, each of the said elements being held in position by means of bands of suitable material sewed to the canvas of the said belt, the said bands Wholly inelosing each of the said elements. 1

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to th1s speclfication 1n the presence 01 10 two subscrlbmg witnesses.

FRANK J ONATA.

\Vitnesses CHAS. KLUs, CHAS. B. Bnimwnrrn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. C. 

